GI Career Fair: Games Design
Naughty Dog, Revolution and Relentless on the multiple paths to becoming a games designer
In the third of our GamesIndustry.biz Career Fair videos we concentrate on games design with insight from veterans of the old school and the blockbuster game, alongside the new breed of talent emerging from the UK.
As MD of Revolution Charles Cecil is best known for his work on seminal adventure games Broken Sword and Beneath a Steel Sky, but he still keeps his hand in with consultancy work and his latest project with the BBC and Sumo on the Dr Who Adventures series. Richard Lemarchand is one of the designers behind the PS3's stand out franchise Uncharted, while Joanna Haslam has worked at Relentless for well over three years on the Buzz series. There's also fresh insight from Aaron McAree, who last year was sitting in the Career Fair audience, before finally getting a break in games with Codemasters.
During the session, with input from the audience of students and graduates, the panellists discuss the lack of junior positions in game design, learning to think systematically, misconceptions of what a games designer is and does, the differences between social and console game design, and the importance of learning practical, maths and core skills in addition to a games design course.
Matthew Handrahan chairs our game design panel
Earlier this week we also posted videos looking at Careers and Education and Programming.
I have been trying to make Flash games for at least 5 years now, but because of a lack of actionscript skill I have only been able to make 2 half finished games.
I also have been working with the unreal engine and try to import my models from 3D Studio Max into the UDK and try to find a site that can cater to .exe files to look for people who could play it and provide feedback.
I have used Deviant Art to test my flash game ideas and updates, listen to feedback and then make more of the game when I have the time between university.
Doing 2 year of University in country Victoria in a course that is going to take me at least 5 years to get though, I have a long way to go.
Going though group assignments too.
Can be hard when I feel like I am the only one who admits in front of a class that I am passionate about anime style japanese games. :(
But while I try to make my own way though university in the Bachelor of IT (Computer Games) at my current university, I will keep on trying to make my own games and when I gradurate I will try to use my games to promote myself in my protfolio.
Would love to work in Japan on anime/manga style games if I could get that far in the future. :D
And, speaking of videos, I'm loving this series.
I have developed some skills in a lot of the areas mentioned Photoshop, HTML some modelling and games engine work. I have used the unity engine to create a 2d platformer with basic interaction plus i have made a terrain for a 3D FPS which I have experimented trying to add some scripting but lack of action script skill or Java makes this challenging.
I have some drawing capabilities enough to communicate ideas and have already made my first attempt at games design documentation which I am currently going over to make sure it communicates the design well then I intend to add and build upon what I already have.
Recently I have started a Games Design and Production course and in during this 4 year course I will be able to improve my Photoshop and HTML skills while also gaining an introduction to programming. The course will also allow me to develop 3D modelling and animation skills the course as whole will allow me to further develop my skills while also develop the once I lack.
After watching this video I feel I have made the right decision in taking my Degree and have already covered some of the thing that are recommended while the degree gives me 4 years to develop further.
Shakespeare was not a "playswright"; he was a playwright. Truffaut was not a "films maker"; he was a filmmaker.
So why is a game designer called a "games designer"?
If you are going to be consistent, you need to call them "levels designers" and "arts directors".
Edited 1 times. Last edit by Tim Carter on 6th October 2011 8:31pm